Geraghty family

Hi Cathy

I have forwarded you message to the parish volunteers. As soon as they have any genealogy information for you, i will be in touch.

Best of luck with your research.

Paula

Ireland Reaching Out

pkennedy@irelandxo.com

Hi Cathy

My gggrandmother Mary Dooley was registered as an orphan of the famine at the Mount Bellew Workhouse in 1852 and was sent to Fremantle, Western Australia on board the Palestine, sailing from Plymouth, England 29 November 1852 as an assisted passenger.  Records suggest that Mary Dooley was from Clonbrock, between Ahascrah and Caltra.

Looking at the ship's manifest, among others, there is also a Mary Geraghty on board, aged 21, born 1831. I suspect that all of the single girls on board the Palestine were known to each other (possibly even related)  and were from the Mount Bellew Workhouse, even possibly from the Ballinasloe Workhouse prior to the construction of the Mt Bellew Workhouse in 1852. 

It was rumoured that our Mary Dooley had 9 brothers that had previously emigrated to the US.  I have noticed there are many Geraghty's from the famine period that also emigrated to the US.

I wonder if this is of any help to you?

Cheers

Kerryn

Hi Cathy

My gggrandmother Mary Dooley was registered as an orphan of the famine at the Mount Bellew Workhouse in 1852 and was sent to Fremantle, Western Australia on board the Palestine, sailing from Plymouth, England 29 November 1852 as an assisted passenger.  Records suggest that Mary Dooley was from Clonbrock, between Ahascrah and Caltra.

Looking at the ship's manifest, among others, there is also a Mary Geraghty on board, aged 21, born 1831. I suspect that all of the single girls on board the Palestine were known to each other (possibly even related)  and were from the Mount Bellew Workhouse, even possibly from the Ballinasloe Workhouse prior to the construction of the Mt Bellew Workhouse in 1852. 

It was rumoured that our Mary Dooley had 9 brothers that had previously emigrated to the US.  I have noticed there are many Geraghty's from the famine period that also emigrated to the US.

I wonder if this is of any help to you?

Cheers

Kerryn

Paula, thank you for forwarding my message to the parish volunteers.

Cathy Reich

Kerryn, thank you so much for your response.  I'm not sure that it relates directly to my family, but possibly could.  I was unaware of the high number of Mary Geraghtys in the area.  

Having just studied the Irish Famine and the consequent Irish Diaspora, I found what you had to say very interesting and heartwrenching.

If you ever watched "The Worst Jobs in History: Victorian Era," you would see why they left the workhouse.  Conditions were terrible!  

Thank you, again, for your information!

Cathy Reich

Hi Cathy

I agree, the stories of the famine and the workhouse are heartwrenching.  I have both English and Irish blood running through my veins and I must say how ashamed I feel about my English history, even though it was probably the fault of the nobility.

I know the information on the Geraghty's didn't probably directly relate to you, but sometimes little pieces of information can help to connect the dots together somewhere.

Good luck with your research.

Cheers

Kerryn

Thank you for your help.  At the very least, your letters have forced me to learn how to reply and use this messag board ;-)

Good luck and Happy Holidays!

Cathy Reich

Hi Cathy

I just received some information from the volunteers in Fohenagh. They have made a connection and may even have old photos for you. You can email me at pkennedy@irelandxo.com.

Regarding the query on the Geraghty family from Keeloges, Ahascragh:The volunteers have been in touch with the neighbour...........They know where the ruins of the old homestead is, how many acres they farmed which was above average at the time. They know they are buried in Chapelfinnerty and probably went to school in Kilglass or Castleffrench but more than likely Kilglass. Joseph Geraghty and Martin are propably the younger members. Joseph was the man who inherited the family farm from Mary's father. He was a thatcher as well as a farmer.Mary's stepmother was Annie Loughnane from Castleffrench Martin's son was reared here in Doone by his uncles and aunt the Penders. His name is Christy Geraghty andhe now lives in England but is a fairly regular visitor to Ireland. His contact details can be got easily. Ellie or Katie Geraghty used to write to some of the neighbours. Says she may have old photos which she will look up. I have additonal information, which I will email you. Paula